I like this: instead of going for utility, the designer here goes for fascination.  It worked, I was duly fascinated.

http://www.fa-g.org/ongoing

LEGO TRIVA

Once upon a time, the Lego Group made "traditional" wooden toys.  They took pride in their wooden toys.  Each wooden toy was its own product.  The focus was on the individual products and their craftsmanship. 

One day the Lego Group made what the business startup jargonits call a "pivot." For various reasons, the Lego Group decided to change their focus.  Firstly, they focused on a specific type of customer  - the people selling their toys to consumers.   One of the company's leaders talked to one of those customers a toy distributor who really wanted to sell a "system of play" instead simply selling unlelated toys. 

The l leader then focused the Lego Group on creating this system based on a  product that previously been deemed a failure:  the Lego brick.  That was late 1950's.  

This change in focus catapulted a company that had previously passed close to death into the largest privately held toy company in the world. 

The brick is deceptively simple - but relentlessly engineered.  The bricks work together.  Each "product" is it's own little system that works with the whole.  It's easy to bring third parties into the fold - movie related Lego, TV related Lego, Lego video games...etc. etc. etc.

There are some "competitors" but I rarely recall their names.  They are "other toy companies" who saw the market and wanted some of it.  The competitive products have similar technical features.  They have similar business development relationship.  Lego is the gold standard.  

Lego's are passed down like heirlooms in my family - and they still work.  My sons say they love "Lego's".   A trip to the Lego store is a sought-after adventure.  My youngest saves his money to buy new Lego sets.  

It's all from changing their focus from "silo'd " products into an interoperable system - or ecosystem - of play.

THE DIGITAL HUB

People who know I am a fan of products often ask my opinion about iOS vs. Andriod, or one Apple device vs. Microsoft.   It seems to me these questions flirt with asking whether San Antonio Spurs could beat Oakland A's.  (Two different sports, different playing field, different skills).  

What *does* get my attention over is the "system" that snuck up on me.

My 2005 wheel-based iPod is still the music device in my car.  As I write my son is watching a movie via Apple TV (which works with nearly any TV).  Via iTunes and its other means,  Apple has deals with countless product creators ('apps'), music, film and publishing industries.  I get Netflix, YouTube etc. etc. on all my devices.   One of my sons has an iPod Touch he loves and uses to call me via FaceTime.   Macs and iPods now get passed down in my family, and my sons want to save up for apps and other devices.   I get little freebie iTunes downloads when I stop in to Starbucks...

Apple has created a system of "play".

And thankfully - I can leverage the system for "work" as well. 

Really enjoyed this, going to check out the book...

(download)

Click here to download:

G-townsurf.com_reminds_me_abou.zip (2.01 MB)

Everything is dependent on the weather, but when things come together, they really come together to make for great days and decent waves. Check out g-townsurf.com for updates. All photos are from G-Townsurf.com

Thanks to those who let me know it was down.

http://twtpoll.com/rrusf5

I do keep seeing the idea of Maslow's hammer all around - it's good to remind myself of it to stay honest and keep learning:

"It is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_the_instrument

Keep learning, keep improving - there are no "golden hammers" that work to solve every problem.

This thought brought to you by Skorks.com

http://www.skorks.com/2010/03/you-dont-need-math-skills-to-be-a-good-develope...

That in turn courtesy of Will Bunker: http://makematters.blogspot.com